SchoolScoresMount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Greenland Road, Bolton, BL4 0HT
01204 391800 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 24 October 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Bolton comparisons use the 10 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 11% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 84% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 11% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 51% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 20 parents who had raised a concern 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 5% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 70% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bolton figures pool parents at the Bolton schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
184 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 105263), before it changed to its current form.
32% — 12 points below the Bolton average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 41 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
180 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 105263), before it changed to its current form.
84% — 6 points below the Bolton average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 84% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 23% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 56% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 84% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bolton. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 174 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 143 |
| Of those, offered a place | 139 (97%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 390 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.3% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 87% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 40.6% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 19th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 17% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.9% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 31.0 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 8.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 15th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 13th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 85% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7% | 17.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Lord's School 0.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention · 0% A*/A at A level
- Harper Green School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- St James's CofE High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Islamic Girls School 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- King's Leadership Academy Bolton 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Essa Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Muslim Girls School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- University Collegiate School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Little Lever School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 5 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah 1.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 October 2023.
How did Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 32% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy?
58% of the 24 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 143 families put Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 174 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 139 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151356.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.